OCARG BULLETIN Sep2000

							OCARG BULLETIN Sep2000                                                                                                                 6/2/06 11:50 AM




          BULLETIN NUMBER 2 OF THE OTSCHODELA COUNCIL AMATEUR RADIO GROUP (OCARG)                14 September 2000

          Scouting Hams and Hamming Scouters--

          OCARG is a loose group of amateur radio operators and persons interested in amateur radio who are Scouts and Scouters
          registered in and around Otschodela Council, Boy Scouts of America. Our mission is the promotion of amateur radio within the
          activities of the Boy Scouts of America of Otschodela Council (Otsego, Schoharie, and Delaware Counties, New York) in such a
          manner as to enhance Scouting's goals of character development, citizenship, and personal and physical fitness. "Fun With A
          Purpose".

          For those of you who have Rich Text Format (RTF), this issue should be coming to you in living color and varied sizes. If you
          don't have RTF, it'll just be in plain boring old black and white and whatever font you selected in your settings or
          preferences.

          OUR NEWEST HAM!

          Teddy Ault, member of Troop 117, Sharon Springs passed his Technician exam at the Schoharie session in August and is now
          KC2GVS. We welcome him to our ranks and we hope he enjoys ham radio and Scouting as much as the rest of us. He comes from a
          Scouting and amateur radio family: his father is Rudi Ault, N2JZK and his mother is Dorothy Ault KB2LGA; both are Troop
          Leaders. Congratulations, Teddy!

          TO AFFILIATE OR NOT TO AFFILIATE; THAT IS THE QUESTION

          To date, I've heard from only one Member on whether OCARG should affiliate with a local amateur club or with the American
          Radio Relay League (ARRL). Best I can tell at this point, we do NOT have to incorporate as a not-for-profit organization to
          obtain League affiliation. All we have to do is have a constitution and at least 50 percent ARRL membership. We don't need
          even that for local Club affiliation.

          However, I personally don't see the need for either at this time. I believe that we can handle most or all functions (JOTA,
          Camporees, etc.) by ourselves without affiliation. I prefer Occam's Razor: the simplest solution is usually the best
          solution.

          I may be wrong. If you have an opinion on this matter, please drop me a line. Or, even if you have no opinion, I'd like to
          hear that as well. Most of us have already made our choices of whether or not to belong to a club or to be League members.

          Alternatively, see next article.

          OCARG RECOGNIZED BY COUNCIL

          At the regularly scheduled Annual Foothills District Meeting on 17 August 2000 at NYSEG in Hamden, the District Committee
          voted unanimously to create an "Amateur Ham Radio"[sic] Committee (ARC) to promote amateur radio in Scouting and to promote
          the goals of Scouting through amateur radio. This functioning committee will work with (not for) the District Camping and
          Activities Committee (Chairman: Don Weiss, Margaretville) and, it is hoped by the District Committee, will encourage and
          operate JOTA-type operations at all District Camporees, not just JOTA, and, eventually, at other District events such as Cub
          Field Day and Webelos Overnighter. Although only two OCARG members are listed on the District Committee roster (Jerry k2TNN
          and K2FRD), I made it clear that this committee function would include ALL OCARG members.

          JOTA E-MAIL LIST

          I was letting my fingers trip lightly and fantastically through the Internet and stumbled across the fact that an e-mail List
          exists for Jamboree-On-The-Air. The list may be subscribed at:

                 http://www.qth.net/ .

          Scroll down on the long list on the left (there are LOTS of interesting ham radio lists to which one might subscribe) until
          you reach JOTA. Then simply click on and follow the instructions. However, I have belonged to the list for about a week now
          and have not received a single JOTA e-mail. I sent a message out to the group, but nothing back yet.

          OCARG MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

          As of this writing, we have fifteen persons signed up on the OCARG roster. This organization is not restricted to either ham
          radio operators nor to individuals registered in Otschodela Council, BSA; anyone interested in amateur radio and Scouting is
          welcome to join. Certainly, the membership fee is the right price (0). However, I am not sure that I have identified all
          amateur radio operators who are registered in the Council. If anyone knows of someone who is not on the list, please send me
          their name, callsign, and Scouting affiliation.

          I've attached an OCARG roster in a couple formats for everyone's use and interest. If you can't open it, I'll find some other
          way to send it.

          JOTA NEWS

          The 43rd Jamboree-On-The-Air will be conducted on 20-22 October 2000. JOTA is sponsored by the the World Brotherhood of
          Scouting and, as such, is an international event. Foothills District will have at least four operators (Jim WA2IAX, Jerry
          K2TNN, Kevin KB2EZR, and Fred K2FRD) operating for the event, to be co-located with the District's Fall Camporee in Hancock,
          NY. While it is not believed that Deerslayer District will have a similar arrangement, at least one operator from Deerslayer
          District (Walt KB2BKD) usually participates in JOTA and probably more will jump in as time permits.




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OCARG BULLETIN Sep2000                                                                                                                6/2/06 11:50 AM




          The purpose of JOTA is not to make maximum numbers of contacts (this is not a contest), but to make contacts and QSOs with
          Scouts and Scouters at distant ends and to have as many local Scouts as possible talk with other Scouts in the United States
          and around the world, since this is an international event. Last year, we just missed out on contacting the World Boy Scout
          Headquarters in Geneva; just couldn't break through the pile-up. Maybe we'll be luckier this year.

          Details for JOTA may be found in the October issue of Scouting Magazine and in the September issue of QST (page 48).
          Suggested frequencies are:

                 3.740 & 3.940-SSB, 3.590-CW
                 7.270-SSB          7.030-CW
                 14.290-SSB        14.070-CW
                 18.140-SSB        18.080-CW
                 21.360-SSB        21.140-CW
                 24.960-SSB        24.910-CW
                 28.390-SSB        28.190-CW

          In any instance, JOTA is an excellent opportunity to introduce Scouts to the wonderful world of amateur radio!

          LOOKING FOR NEWS

          We're always looking for information to include within this bulletin. We're especially interested in personal stuff like
          upgrades, new equipment, Scouting advancement, upcoming events, new callsigns, ham activities, VE sessions, personal
          achievements (e.g. WAS, DXCC) and other subjects of general interest. You don't have to be a professional writer; just send
          me the info and, if you want, I'll edit it.

          MARGARETVILLE HAMFEST

          The Margaretville Hamfest is officially   set to start at 9AM on Saturday 24 September 2000 behind the A&P in Margaretville,
          NY. The sponsors, Margaretville ARC are   looking for more venders; if interested, contact Jerry K2TNN on 147.315 or 145.315.
          This will be a good chance for those of   you looking to obtain your first rig or trying to diversify your ham radio inventory
          to do so inexpensively. For a number of   us, it's the closest hamfest to home and its date is more convenient than the summer
          hamfests in other parts of the State.

          THAT'S IT FOR THIS MONTH. IF YOU LIKED THIS BULLETIN, FEEL FREE TO SEND US COMPLIMENTS! WE ALWAYS ENJOY THEM. IF YOU DIDN'T
          LIKE IT, ALSO FEEL FREE TO LET US KNOW AND SUGGEST MEANS OF IMPROVING.

          Fred, K2FRD
          OCARG SCRIBE




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